Leading experts have dismissed claims of a 'loneliness epidemic' in the UK, stating that the proportion of people reporting loneliness has remained stable at around 10% since the 1940s. Despite widespread media coverage suggesting a growing crisis, researchers argue there is no evidence to support a significant increase in loneliness over the past 70 years.
Dr Aparna Shankar, a population health researcher at St George's Hospital in London, told the Cheltenham Science Festival that surveys consistently show the vast majority of people rarely or never feel lonely. 'Across a lot of surveys, well over half say they very rarely or never feel lonely,' she said. 'And you find that about seven to 10% say they feel lonely often.' She noted that data going back to the 1940s shows this figure has remained consistent.
Dr Shankar clarified that loneliness is not simply about having few friends, but rather a mismatch between desired and actual relationships. She highlighted that adolescents often report higher levels of loneliness than older adults, and that risk factors include bereavement, divorce, or unemployment in middle age. While acknowledging loneliness has important health impacts—such as worse memory, physical function, and increased risk of depression—she stressed that the proportion of lonely individuals has not risen.
Professor Manuela Barreto from the University of Exeter agreed, stating: 'If we look historically... we don't see that we are feeling more lonely than ever. Perhaps what we see is an epidemic of understanding, of interest in loneliness... but we aren't more lonely than before.' The experts' comments come amid heightened public discourse on loneliness, including campaigns by figures like Meghan Markle.
